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The Aristocrat
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel.
The one that got away. Every girl has one, right?
Mine was a charming, British aristocrat who turned my world upside down one summer.
From the moment I first spotted Leo in the distance through my binoculars, I’d been captivated. I certainly never expected to find a man showering outside of the property across the bay in his birthday suit.
Then I noticed his housemate staring back at me with binoculars of his own—watching me watching Leo.
That made for an interesting conversation starter when I inevitably ran into them.
Turned out, the handsome Brits were only renting that house for the summer in my seaside town.
Leo and I formed an instant connection, even though we were technically opposites by all appearances. I taught him how to dig for clams, and he taught me that not all wealthy and powerful guys are pretentious.
Despite knowing he was totally wrong for me, I couldn’t seem to stay away.
It was a wild and crazy few months. And before I knew it, we’d fallen in love.
We both had one wish: more time together.
But Leo had obligations back home. He lived a life I’d never fit into. And I was going to law school. So, we decided to end it and never look back.
A part of me always felt like I’d let my soulmate walk away.
I believed our story was over.
Until five years later when he sent me a letter that shook me to my core.
I’d thought my world was turned upside down that first summer?
Well, I knew nothing yet.
The one that got away. Every girl has one, right?
Mine was a charming, British aristocrat who turned my world upside down one summer.
From the moment I first spotted Leo in the distance through my binoculars, I’d been captivated. I certainly never expected to find a man showering outside of the property across the bay in his birthday suit.
Then I noticed his housemate staring back at me with binoculars of his own—watching me watching Leo.
That made for an interesting conversation starter when I inevitably ran into them.
Turned out, the handsome Brits were only renting that house for the summer in my seaside town.
Leo and I formed an instant connection, even though we were technically opposites by all appearances. I taught him how to dig for clams, and he taught me that not all wealthy and powerful guys are pretentious.
Despite knowing he was totally wrong for me, I couldn’t seem to stay away.
It was a wild and crazy few months. And before I knew it, we’d fallen in love.
We both had one wish: more time together.
But Leo had obligations back home. He lived a life I’d never fit into. And I was going to law school. So, we decided to end it and never look back.
A part of me always felt like I’d let my soulmate walk away.
I believed our story was over.
Until five years later when he sent me a letter that shook me to my core.
I’d thought my world was turned upside down that first summer?
Well, I knew nothing yet.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2021
1,190 people are currently reading
11.9k people want to read
About the author
Penelope Ward
101 books25.4k followersPenelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels.
In 2014, Penelope’s fourth book, Stepbrother Dearest, became the #1 bestselling independently published Kindle ebook of the year on Amazon.com and was credited with igniting an entirely new subgenre of romance. Her 2016 smash hit RoomHate debuted at #2 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Penelope is an Audie Award Winner and three-time Goodreads Choice Romance of the Year Nominee. Her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review).
Penelope’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
She can often be found chatting live with her readers in her private Facebook group, Penelope’s Peeps.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels.
In 2014, Penelope’s fourth book, Stepbrother Dearest, became the #1 bestselling independently published Kindle ebook of the year on Amazon.com and was credited with igniting an entirely new subgenre of romance. Her 2016 smash hit RoomHate debuted at #2 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Penelope is an Audie Award Winner and three-time Goodreads Choice Romance of the Year Nominee. Her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review).
Penelope’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
She can often be found chatting live with her readers in her private Facebook group, Penelope’s Peeps.
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September 5, 2021
The cover mesmerized me. Otherwise I would not have read a book I clearly knew was not going to be safe.
THIS IS NOT SAFE, RUN THE OTHER WAY
Now that I got that out of the way, I'll just say that I loved the writing, and I'm giving it extra stars for it.
The characters were... bland? I don't have anything negative to say against them really, aside from the fact that they didn't seem particularly strong or someone I would root for.
The heroine was more likable than the hero. Why? because he came across like a selfish immature prick and I can't believe he was 33 in the second part of the book.
Short summary (INCLUDES SPOILERS):
Felicity and Leo meet during a summer while he is in the US and they have a fling. They fall in love but have to separate at the end. Now, my issue with this was that most of the book was them falling in love, only to drive them away because... well, I don't know exactly. He returned to the UK and she went to law school.
Fast forward 5 years and Felicity comes back to the summer house to find a letter from Leo where he says he is getting married but has doubts. But she misreads the date and jumps on a plane to stop his wedding.
BUT
When she gets there he had been married for 2 years already. Yeah, not nice.
He claims he loves his wife, but gets a divorce the moment he sees Felicity again. They didn't cheat physically, but his wife sounded like a nice person and he did her sooo dirty.
He goes after Felicity and they get their HEA
My issue was with the hero and his marriage. Knowing he was still in love with Felicity, he strung his wife along and for what? Just to waste her time.
I didn't like how that was dealt with. He claimed he loved his wife, but then he wasn't in love with her. Just a whole mess.
It's not safe. Both with other people after their summer fling (clearly) and the hero got married and claimed he loved the wife *cue eye roll*
I would have given this an extra star if not for the lackluster ending. It was very anticlimactic after their reunion and I just didn't care about them as a couple 🤷♀️
THIS IS NOT SAFE, RUN THE OTHER WAY
Now that I got that out of the way, I'll just say that I loved the writing, and I'm giving it extra stars for it.
The characters were... bland? I don't have anything negative to say against them really, aside from the fact that they didn't seem particularly strong or someone I would root for.
The heroine was more likable than the hero. Why? because he came across like a selfish immature prick and I can't believe he was 33 in the second part of the book.
Short summary (INCLUDES SPOILERS):
Felicity and Leo meet during a summer while he is in the US and they have a fling. They fall in love but have to separate at the end. Now, my issue with this was that most of the book was them falling in love, only to drive them away because... well, I don't know exactly. He returned to the UK and she went to law school.
Fast forward 5 years and Felicity comes back to the summer house to find a letter from Leo where he says he is getting married but has doubts. But she misreads the date and jumps on a plane to stop his wedding.
BUT
When she gets there he had been married for 2 years already. Yeah, not nice.
He claims he loves his wife, but gets a divorce the moment he sees Felicity again. They didn't cheat physically, but his wife sounded like a nice person and he did her sooo dirty.
He goes after Felicity and they get their HEA
My issue was with the hero and his marriage. Knowing he was still in love with Felicity, he strung his wife along and for what? Just to waste her time.
I didn't like how that was dealt with. He claimed he loved his wife, but then he wasn't in love with her. Just a whole mess.
It's not safe. Both with other people after their summer fling (clearly) and the hero got married and claimed he loved the wife *cue eye roll*
I would have given this an extra star if not for the lackluster ending. It was very anticlimactic after their reunion and I just didn't care about them as a couple 🤷♀️
December 16, 2022
2.25 stars
so much for being The Aristocrat. whats the point if youre just going to let it rule over you instead of the other way around? i feel like these two complicated something that shouldve been simple. if theres love, theres a way - isnt that how the saying goes? no? im sure being the duke or whatever is not easy, but look at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle! (not that im well acquainted with their love story) but they made it work. together. (though it seemed to cost them their standing with the royal family. hmm ok, bad example.)
in any case, i doubt theres an arranged marriage to an OW or five year separation or pure general stupidity making a dent in their love life. oh well, this is the PW world and not reality. god forbid, she wrote a romance that actually had more flavors than tap water. btw, idk why but the before part of this book made me think of Taylor Swift’s song, August. anyhoo, is this what ive been reduced to? ive reached a new low, folks. i cant seem to quit adding PW/VK books to TBR cause im always lusting after their covers.
(read as an audiobook)
so much for being The Aristocrat. whats the point if youre just going to let it rule over you instead of the other way around? i feel like these two complicated something that shouldve been simple. if theres love, theres a way - isnt that how the saying goes? no? im sure being the duke or whatever is not easy, but look at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle! (not that im well acquainted with their love story) but they made it work. together. (though it seemed to cost them their standing with the royal family. hmm ok, bad example.)
in any case, i doubt theres an arranged marriage to an OW or five year separation or pure general stupidity making a dent in their love life. oh well, this is the PW world and not reality. god forbid, she wrote a romance that actually had more flavors than tap water. btw, idk why but the before part of this book made me think of Taylor Swift’s song, August. anyhoo, is this what ive been reduced to? ive reached a new low, folks. i cant seem to quit adding PW/VK books to TBR cause im always lusting after their covers.
(read as an audiobook)
Read
February 9, 2024★ ★FREE FOR A FEW DAYS ONLY!★ ★
This is the first solo book I’ve offered FREE in a decade! Grab this rare opportunity to read The Aristocrat for FREE. A standalone, second-chance novel with a sexy, British hero. Emotional, angsty and equally funny with a twist you won’t see coming. *You’ll want to avoid spoilers for this one. Audible also has the audio on sale for only $5.99 right now! Download that and whispersync with the free book! (While my next book releasing 2/26, The Surrogate, is a COMPLETE STANDALONE...The hero, Sig, was first introduced in THE ARISTOCRAT. So grab this now and binge both!)
AMAZON US: https://amzn.to/3yoPp65
UK: https://amzn.to/3js1bYR
CA: https://amzn.to/3kIPGMq
AU: https://amzn.to/3mPEkZt
Apple Books ➜ https://apple.co/3iigYYL
Nook ➜ https://bit.ly/3m6qdib
Kobo ➜ https://bit.ly/3g5QR76
Google Play ➜ https://bit.ly/3m8Nb8j
Audio ➜ https://adbl.co/3g9L7Jh
This is the first solo book I’ve offered FREE in a decade! Grab this rare opportunity to read The Aristocrat for FREE. A standalone, second-chance novel with a sexy, British hero. Emotional, angsty and equally funny with a twist you won’t see coming. *You’ll want to avoid spoilers for this one. Audible also has the audio on sale for only $5.99 right now! Download that and whispersync with the free book! (While my next book releasing 2/26, The Surrogate, is a COMPLETE STANDALONE...The hero, Sig, was first introduced in THE ARISTOCRAT. So grab this now and binge both!)
AMAZON US: https://amzn.to/3yoPp65
UK: https://amzn.to/3js1bYR
CA: https://amzn.to/3kIPGMq
AU: https://amzn.to/3mPEkZt
Apple Books ➜ https://apple.co/3iigYYL
Nook ➜ https://bit.ly/3m6qdib
Kobo ➜ https://bit.ly/3g5QR76
Google Play ➜ https://bit.ly/3m8Nb8j
Audio ➜ https://adbl.co/3g9L7Jh
August 27, 2021
Felicity and Leo will steal your heart! This is a slow burn until...it's not. LOL. You'll have to read to find out what I mean. Can't wait for you all to meet this sexy Brit!
August 29, 2021
MY REVIEW AND OTHERS: can also be found on my blog:
➽ KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
'THE ARISTOCRAT' Is a full length, stand-alone contemporary romance book by Penelope Ward. Spoken in 'Dual Perspectives.'
This had everything I crave in a romance book, from the swoons, to the giggles to the odd tear this surpassed all my expectations.
I loved all these characters, Leo, with his non existent cooking skills to his painting, throw in that he's British had me falling for him in a heartbeat.
Sig aka Sigmund Benedictus (Leo’s cousin) with his crude, crass unfiltered teasing had me lapping up his words and cringing at the same time and hoping like hell we get his story.
To Felicity Dunleavy, with her quirkiness and her inability to allow people in to her evolving into a strong sassy heroine who opened herself up even if it meant getting hurt had me connecting and loving her character wholeheartedly.
Before life starts to get real and he has to step up to his family's responsibilities Twenty-eight year old, Leo Covington and his cousin Sig decided to travel the U.S. making their last stop Narragansett, on Rhode Island where they rented a house for the summer across the bay from twenty-four year old Felicity whose moved back home with her foster mother before heading off to law school once summer has ended.
'𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱-𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝗼, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀, 𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿-𝗮 𝘁𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀'
Felicity is like no one he's ever met before and is quickly enamoured by her, she's also the first woman to ever turn him down, but she's guarding her heart and she knows if she lets Leo in it's only for the summer and she'll never see him again and she knows he'll leave behind a world of hurt. But even though they knew it wasn't a good idea to start something, nothing could keep them apart, they knew what they were getting themselves into and accepted that their summer fling had an expiration date.
'𝗪𝗲 𝗼𝗯𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗺-𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆.'
* Teaser used is off the authors facebook page *
December 14, 2021
2 stars
There wasn’t anything I really hated about this…well except everything about the second half 🤪
Part I
The book starts off with Felicity, an orphan and Harvard grad, that does everything in her power to remind us what she’s an orphan and a Harvard grad. She seemed to like guilt tripping people by reminding them that she’s a sad poor orphan girl (who happens to live in a mansion from the looks of it) and it had me thinking…so THAT’S how she got into Harvard
Anyway, Felicity decides to use binoculars to spy on her new neighbors across the bay. Well while she’s going that, she catches one of the two men using the outdoor shower, naked. Would a normal person look away? Would a normal person NOT spy on people with binoculars? Yes, to both, but not our Felicity, didn’t you hear??! She’s a Harvard grad, they’re very smart.
Well, Felicity gets caught peeping and soon forms a summer fling that turns into love with the naked man. Leo is the son of an English Duke that's on vacation in America.
Part 1 was OKAY, but I wasn’t immersed into the story at all. The only positive about Part 1 was Sig, Leo’s cousin and the second man I mentioned before. Sigmund just spends Part 1 roasting the absolute fuck out of Felicity. At first I was like 'wtf this man is a dick'…but it honestly had me cackling a lot of the time
Felicity and Leo form a little friendship, but Leo doesn’t try to hide his persistence or interest in Felicity. Felicity on the other hand makes to sorta clear that she doesn’t want a relationship, but the amount of times she changed her mind... I got lost. First, she didn’t want a relationship, then she did. Next, she said she didn’t want to have sex with him, then she did. Then she questions Leo on why he hasn't kissed her, after she already explained she didn’t want an intimate relationship with him. Like this girl changes her damn mind every time…
The smut was also so dry. There was zero foreplay most of the time and it really had me scratching my head, where’s the damn spice??? There’s also this moment that truly had me confused. This was some fiction right here
*Flash forward a bit cause I’m bored of Part 1*
Felicity and Leo have a bit of a forbidden romance. Since Leo is next in line for Duke, he’s expected to marry a girl of a certain status and he knows his mom wouldn’t approve of Felicity. In other words, they couldn’t be together or they’d both have to uproot their lives. Well, the day comes when Leo needs to leave. Leo and Felicity part ways and make a pact to not contact each other again because it would hurt too much. And thennnn we get a 5 year time jump
Part 2
Now Part 2 honestly had me MAD. Leo’s actions were just so damn hurtful and questionable the entire time and then we have Felicity changing her freaking mind, again.
Well, Felicity has now graduated from law school and decides she wants to move back home to where she lived in the beginning of the book. Since her foster mom passed away during that 5 year jump, she now owns the house.
While she’s there, she was looking through her foster mom’s old mail and sees a letter from Leo. The letter is dated just 2 months prior and Leo explains that he’s still in love with her and that he’s getting married. He tells Felicity that if she loves him, she should contact him before the wedding 3 weeks from now.
Well, Felicity drops everything and flies to England to stop Leo from getting married. When they see each other for the first time in 5 years, she tells Leo that she just saw the letter and she’s here because she wants to be with him.
This is what he tells her…HE’S ALREADY FUCKING MARRIED AHAHAHAHH. Turns out that the letter wasn’t from 2 months ago…it was from 2 YEARS ago and she misread the date.
She’s so embarrassed that she runs away in the rain only to be chased down by Sig. Now this is where to starts getting ridiculous. Sig explains that Leo called him and told him to pick Felicity up, take her back to the B&B and make sure she didn’t leave England. Felicity agrees and is surprised when Sig tells her Leo is coming to see her.
When Leo arrives he explains the whole situation to Felicity. About how him and his wife were friends when they were younger and they bonded over their heartbreak and began seeing each other. Now here’s the fucking kicker.
In Part 1, Felicity's old bf from high school came to see her. While there, he explains to Felicity that he’s sorry and still has feelings for her. Felicity rejects him and explains that she's not interested in him. Leo was jealous because he knew that when Felicity moved at the end of the summer to Pennsylvania, the ex would be close by. So Felicity explains to him—
Which is completely understandable. Flash-forward to Part 2 where Leo is telling Felicity about his past 5 years, he tells her that he actually went back to the U.S. to see her about a year after he left her. When he went to her university, he saw her…with her ex…the SAME FUCKING EX THAT SHE SAID SHE DIDN’T TRUST 🤡
SINCE LEO SAW THEM TOGETHER, HE DECIDED TO MOVE ON WITH HIS LIFE. ALL BECAUSE HE THOUGHT SHE WAS HAPPY NOW. This whole situation could have been avoided if Felicity hadn't changed her mind.
Okay, sorry. I really had to get that out. Now…on to this motherfucker Leo. The way he treated his wife, who actually was a friend of his since they were kids, was HORRIBLE. He asks a woman he still loves to STAY in England another week, while married. Then, he reassures his wife by telling her she has nothing to worry about—
He then talks to his grandma and confesses his love for Felicity and explains he wants to be with her. He doesn’t want to leave his wife because he doesn’t want to “hurt her”, but proceeds to emotionally cheat on her 🙄 I mean explain this freaking logic.
Felicity ends up leaving England without saying goodbye to Leo in person. 3 more months go by when Felicity is sitting outside, with binoculars and HAPPENS to look over across the bay and guess who’s looking back at her.
Yep, Leo. Anyway they live happily ever. Well except for Leo’s wife because he divorced her ass and broke her heart.
The only thing that made this book worth reading
I absolutely LOVED Sig. I think this book did good at setting up his book which is kinda funny. In Part 1 he’s a cocky bastard, but during the 5 years he fell in love, got married, and became a widower all in the span of 6 months. The story of his heartbreak is the only time in this whole book that I felt any real emotion like I genuinely was sobbing reading about the love he has for his wife.
There wasn’t anything I really hated about this…well except everything about the second half 🤪
Part I
The book starts off with Felicity, an orphan and Harvard grad, that does everything in her power to remind us what she’s an orphan and a Harvard grad. She seemed to like guilt tripping people by reminding them that she’s a sad poor orphan girl (who happens to live in a mansion from the looks of it) and it had me thinking…so THAT’S how she got into Harvard
Anyway, Felicity decides to use binoculars to spy on her new neighbors across the bay. Well while she’s going that, she catches one of the two men using the outdoor shower, naked. Would a normal person look away? Would a normal person NOT spy on people with binoculars? Yes, to both, but not our Felicity, didn’t you hear??! She’s a Harvard grad, they’re very smart.
Well, Felicity gets caught peeping and soon forms a summer fling that turns into love with the naked man. Leo is the son of an English Duke that's on vacation in America.
Part 1 was OKAY, but I wasn’t immersed into the story at all. The only positive about Part 1 was Sig, Leo’s cousin and the second man I mentioned before. Sigmund just spends Part 1 roasting the absolute fuck out of Felicity. At first I was like 'wtf this man is a dick'…but it honestly had me cackling a lot of the time
“Good to meet you,” I said.
“And you, as well, Freckles.”
...
“Do you mind not calling me that?”
“Do you prefer a different nickname?” Sig asked. “Peeping Tom, perhaps?”
Sig looked over at my tiny, mint green Fiat 500. “Would you like to bring your toy car inside as well?”
He gave me a once-over. “I didn’t realize we’d invited Mary Poppins to tea.”
Felicity and Leo form a little friendship, but Leo doesn’t try to hide his persistence or interest in Felicity. Felicity on the other hand makes to sorta clear that she doesn’t want a relationship, but the amount of times she changed her mind... I got lost. First, she didn’t want a relationship, then she did. Next, she said she didn’t want to have sex with him, then she did. Then she questions Leo on why he hasn't kissed her, after she already explained she didn’t want an intimate relationship with him. Like this girl changes her damn mind every time…
The smut was also so dry. There was zero foreplay most of the time and it really had me scratching my head, where’s the damn spice??? There’s also this moment that truly had me confused. This was some fiction right here
“What shall I do first?” he asked.
“Fuck my mouth.”
I’d only gone down on him one other time this weekend, a random moment when I snuck up on him in the bathroom. He’d been caught off guard and came in a matter of seconds.
→Was he already hard when she snuck up on him??? How is it possible that she caught him off guard, got her mouth around his dick, and got him to cum in seconds???
*Flash forward a bit cause I’m bored of Part 1*
Felicity and Leo have a bit of a forbidden romance. Since Leo is next in line for Duke, he’s expected to marry a girl of a certain status and he knows his mom wouldn’t approve of Felicity. In other words, they couldn’t be together or they’d both have to uproot their lives. Well, the day comes when Leo needs to leave. Leo and Felicity part ways and make a pact to not contact each other again because it would hurt too much. And thennnn we get a 5 year time jump
Part 2
Now Part 2 honestly had me MAD. Leo’s actions were just so damn hurtful and questionable the entire time and then we have Felicity changing her freaking mind, again.
Well, Felicity has now graduated from law school and decides she wants to move back home to where she lived in the beginning of the book. Since her foster mom passed away during that 5 year jump, she now owns the house.
While she’s there, she was looking through her foster mom’s old mail and sees a letter from Leo. The letter is dated just 2 months prior and Leo explains that he’s still in love with her and that he’s getting married. He tells Felicity that if she loves him, she should contact him before the wedding 3 weeks from now.
Well, Felicity drops everything and flies to England to stop Leo from getting married. When they see each other for the first time in 5 years, she tells Leo that she just saw the letter and she’s here because she wants to be with him.
This is what he tells her…HE’S ALREADY FUCKING MARRIED AHAHAHAHH. Turns out that the letter wasn’t from 2 months ago…it was from 2 YEARS ago and she misread the date.
She’s so embarrassed that she runs away in the rain only to be chased down by Sig. Now this is where to starts getting ridiculous. Sig explains that Leo called him and told him to pick Felicity up, take her back to the B&B and make sure she didn’t leave England. Felicity agrees and is surprised when Sig tells her Leo is coming to see her.
When Leo arrives he explains the whole situation to Felicity. About how him and his wife were friends when they were younger and they bonded over their heartbreak and began seeing each other. Now here’s the fucking kicker.
In Part 1, Felicity's old bf from high school came to see her. While there, he explains to Felicity that he’s sorry and still has feelings for her. Felicity rejects him and explains that she's not interested in him. Leo was jealous because he knew that when Felicity moved at the end of the summer to Pennsylvania, the ex would be close by. So Felicity explains to him—
“I won’t go back to him. I won’t ever have peace being with someone who left me in the past. I can never trust him again.”
Which is completely understandable. Flash-forward to Part 2 where Leo is telling Felicity about his past 5 years, he tells her that he actually went back to the U.S. to see her about a year after he left her. When he went to her university, he saw her…with her ex…the SAME FUCKING EX THAT SHE SAID SHE DIDN’T TRUST 🤡
SINCE LEO SAW THEM TOGETHER, HE DECIDED TO MOVE ON WITH HIS LIFE. ALL BECAUSE HE THOUGHT SHE WAS HAPPY NOW. This whole situation could have been avoided if Felicity hadn't changed her mind.
Okay, sorry. I really had to get that out. Now…on to this motherfucker Leo. The way he treated his wife, who actually was a friend of his since they were kids, was HORRIBLE. He asks a woman he still loves to STAY in England another week, while married. Then, he reassures his wife by telling her she has nothing to worry about—
“She’s staying for a week. She and I need to talk through some things. Nothing more. I don’t want her to return to the US so shocked and hurt. We just need to process this before she goes.”
He then talks to his grandma and confesses his love for Felicity and explains he wants to be with her. He doesn’t want to leave his wife because he doesn’t want to “hurt her”, but proceeds to emotionally cheat on her 🙄 I mean explain this freaking logic.
Felicity ends up leaving England without saying goodbye to Leo in person. 3 more months go by when Felicity is sitting outside, with binoculars and HAPPENS to look over across the bay and guess who’s looking back at her.
Yep, Leo. Anyway they live happily ever. Well except for Leo’s wife because he divorced her ass and broke her heart.
The only thing that made this book worth reading
I absolutely LOVED Sig. I think this book did good at setting up his book which is kinda funny. In Part 1 he’s a cocky bastard, but during the 5 years he fell in love, got married, and became a widower all in the span of 6 months. The story of his heartbreak is the only time in this whole book that I felt any real emotion like I genuinely was sobbing reading about the love he has for his wife.
“She was the love of my life. It doesn’t matter that I only had her for a matter of months. No one will ever replace her.” He pressed his hand to his chest. “She’ll live in here forever.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2021
I go with 1.5 STARS rounded down...
I'm not going to write the whole review, but three things that grated on me the most:
1. the most interesting events were kept off the page, like the dialog between the heroine and hero's wife
2. It was so CHEESY... lines like below, were far too frequent. it was too much, really.
3. too many dying/ dead people
Yeah, if you've ever read a book by PW you've got the picture...
All because of the moral of the story, nothing matters more in this life than love. Death should teach you so. Or at least evoke in our characters such emotions like sympathy, guilt, fear of displeasing...
Honestly I feel a little bit (emotionally) blackmailed by it and I hate it. As a consequence, what should be heart wrenching for me, I just roll my eyes at.
Needless to say, I didn't enjoy this book, at all. The main characters came across flat and bland and honestly I didn't care for them much. There were so many laughable moments (the intention of which wasn't at all to be funny), just the execution of the situation was... cringey... I guess? Or moments that wouldn't be pathetic per se, but were described in a way that made them pathetic. Where is the writing from PW's older works?
------------------------
Honestly I don't know how to rate it... It's bouncing somewhere between 1 - 2 STARS. I have to sleep on it.
I'm not going to write the whole review, but three things that grated on me the most:
1. the most interesting events were kept off the page, like the dialog between the heroine and hero's wife
2. It was so CHEESY... lines like below, were far too frequent. it was too much, really.
Our hearts pounded against each other.
“You know what else never changed?” He took my hand and placed it on his chest. “The way my heart beats for you.”
Spending time with you today was truly magical. Getting to see Ludicrous again, getting to ride those beautiful horses with you, getting to look into your eyes and see into your soul for the last time.
3. too many dying/ dead people
Yeah, if you've ever read a book by PW you've got the picture...
All because of the moral of the story, nothing matters more in this life than love. Death should teach you so. Or at least evoke in our characters such emotions like sympathy, guilt, fear of displeasing...
Honestly I feel a little bit (emotionally) blackmailed by it and I hate it. As a consequence, what should be heart wrenching for me, I just roll my eyes at.
Needless to say, I didn't enjoy this book, at all. The main characters came across flat and bland and honestly I didn't care for them much. There were so many laughable moments (the intention of which wasn't at all to be funny), just the execution of the situation was... cringey... I guess? Or moments that wouldn't be pathetic per se, but were described in a way that made them pathetic. Where is the writing from PW's older works?
------------------------
Honestly I don't know how to rate it... It's bouncing somewhere between 1 - 2 STARS. I have to sleep on it.
August 19, 2022
I really want to like this book more than 2 stars, but failed. The reason is the stupidity of both the characters. Leo and Felicity.
Felicity for being ignorant and indifferent toward Leo's background. And Leo lacking of skill of communication. This is just unbelievable. They have a romantic summer fling. Miss Ward at least done that. She gives a romantic and sweet banter between Leo and Felicity. Their character develop well together.
Then toward the ending, everything become stupid and immature. I do not understand how Miss Ward screwed up the story developing.
2 stars
Felicity for being ignorant and indifferent toward Leo's background. And Leo lacking of skill of communication. This is just unbelievable. They have a romantic summer fling. Miss Ward at least done that. She gives a romantic and sweet banter between Leo and Felicity. Their character develop well together.
Then toward the ending, everything become stupid and immature. I do not understand how Miss Ward screwed up the story developing.
2 stars
September 12, 2021
4.5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)
Felicity Dunleavy grew up in the foster care system, and doesn't get attached easily to anyone or anything. She graduated from Harvard and is about to start law school soon, but first she's headed home for the summer where she grew up in Rhode Island. While there she spots two new delicious neighbors across the bay. She eventually meets the hot Brits and a connection forms with one of the men. Leo Covington is almost painfully handsome and captivated her from the moment she laid eyes on him. ;) He's only on vacation in the small seaside town for a short time, so she knows she should stay away, but he becomes too hard to resist.
Leo is renting a house for the summer and taking some much needed time off when he crosses paths with a gorgeous redhead. She's beautiful inside and out. She fascinates him, and he can't quit thinking abut her. Circumstances aren't ideal, and they could only be temporary, because time wasn't on their side. Soon their both feeling way too much, but they are on different paths in life, and it's complicated. Will heartbreak be inevitable, or will they finally get their happy ending?
-It was rare that someone captivated me the way Felicity had.
-From the moment we met, somehow I knew you mattered to me.
-This level of need is new to me. I've never been so drawn to someone.
-I couldn't see anything else whenever she was around.
The Aristocrat by Penelope Ward is a standalone, slowburn, forbidden, second chance romance with all the feels. Opposites attract and we get a story with angst, humor, emotion, and a lot of heart. I just loved this sexy, beauiful British man and the woman who steals his heart! And omg Sigmund... I need more!!! ;)) <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/3kHicxR
(ARC provided by author)
Felicity Dunleavy grew up in the foster care system, and doesn't get attached easily to anyone or anything. She graduated from Harvard and is about to start law school soon, but first she's headed home for the summer where she grew up in Rhode Island. While there she spots two new delicious neighbors across the bay. She eventually meets the hot Brits and a connection forms with one of the men. Leo Covington is almost painfully handsome and captivated her from the moment she laid eyes on him. ;) He's only on vacation in the small seaside town for a short time, so she knows she should stay away, but he becomes too hard to resist.
Leo is renting a house for the summer and taking some much needed time off when he crosses paths with a gorgeous redhead. She's beautiful inside and out. She fascinates him, and he can't quit thinking abut her. Circumstances aren't ideal, and they could only be temporary, because time wasn't on their side. Soon their both feeling way too much, but they are on different paths in life, and it's complicated. Will heartbreak be inevitable, or will they finally get their happy ending?
-It was rare that someone captivated me the way Felicity had.
-From the moment we met, somehow I knew you mattered to me.
-This level of need is new to me. I've never been so drawn to someone.
-I couldn't see anything else whenever she was around.
The Aristocrat by Penelope Ward is a standalone, slowburn, forbidden, second chance romance with all the feels. Opposites attract and we get a story with angst, humor, emotion, and a lot of heart. I just loved this sexy, beauiful British man and the woman who steals his heart! And omg Sigmund... I need more!!! ;)) <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/3kHicxR
August 30, 2021
Good golly, the way a life can change by just sharing a cup of tea…
I’m still a bit gobsmacked after finishing up the fantastic The Aristocrat in the wee hours this morning—it’s one of my top reads this year!
I absolutely loved the twists and turns in the relationship and romance between Felicity and Leo. And how life really got in the way of things.
Through the course of their romance, Leo and Felicity grew so much—grew in learning about themselves, about what they truly wanted out of life. A life they deserved—and a life they absolutely needed to pursue.
Things were not easy between them—things like living an ocean apart, societal and family expectations. Plus their own internal hurdles they needed to work through.
But, holy moly, when they finally got themselves sorted—even through all the painful decisions they made—what a life they made for themselves. And I couldn’t read the words fast enough to see just how things ended up.
And I’m hoping we’ll hear more from Leo’s cousin, Sigmund. There’s definitely more to his story too!
The Aristocrat is a #5star read for me and on my “must buy” list. ~ Missy, 5 stars
***
Buckle up friends, Penelope Ward is about to take your heart on a bit of a wild ride.
Good gravy but I love this kind of "rags to riches" fairytale. When the average person with the heart of gold (Felicity) stumbles upon literal British royalty (Leo), sparks flew and chemistry fired up immediately.
The feelings flare very quickly - and very intensely - for Leo and Felicity, and as always when that happens, I felt like I missed out on a little bit of what made them so special to each other. Their specialness was told to me, not shown to me, and so that created some distance from the story for me. However, that said, I never felt disconnected from the story. On the contrary, it was compulsively readable and there were points where I found myself glued to my Kindle, heart pounding fiercely as things sparked and sizzled and eventually exploded into a chemistry inferno between these two special characters.
There were pieces of this story that hit right in my emotional sweet spot. I adored the evolution of Sigmund (Leo's cousin and sidekick throughout the book). I loved the conflict/twist - which was indeed a twist for me because the conflict is usually my least favorite part in any given book, and yet in this one it was a favorite. It elicited my strongest emotions and it was then that I felt like my heart was truly on board - aching, fluttering, and filled with hope that love would conquer all.
And the resolution, as always, was epically romantic and deeply satisfying. I loved these two, and am so happy with the happily ever after they were given. The Aristocrat was filled with drama, sweeping romance, and romantic grand gestures. And, in the end, I was here for it all. ~ Shelly, 4 Stars
I’m still a bit gobsmacked after finishing up the fantastic The Aristocrat in the wee hours this morning—it’s one of my top reads this year!
I absolutely loved the twists and turns in the relationship and romance between Felicity and Leo. And how life really got in the way of things.
Through the course of their romance, Leo and Felicity grew so much—grew in learning about themselves, about what they truly wanted out of life. A life they deserved—and a life they absolutely needed to pursue.
Things were not easy between them—things like living an ocean apart, societal and family expectations. Plus their own internal hurdles they needed to work through.
But, holy moly, when they finally got themselves sorted—even through all the painful decisions they made—what a life they made for themselves. And I couldn’t read the words fast enough to see just how things ended up.
And I’m hoping we’ll hear more from Leo’s cousin, Sigmund. There’s definitely more to his story too!
The Aristocrat is a #5star read for me and on my “must buy” list. ~ Missy, 5 stars
***
Buckle up friends, Penelope Ward is about to take your heart on a bit of a wild ride.
Good gravy but I love this kind of "rags to riches" fairytale. When the average person with the heart of gold (Felicity) stumbles upon literal British royalty (Leo), sparks flew and chemistry fired up immediately.
The feelings flare very quickly - and very intensely - for Leo and Felicity, and as always when that happens, I felt like I missed out on a little bit of what made them so special to each other. Their specialness was told to me, not shown to me, and so that created some distance from the story for me. However, that said, I never felt disconnected from the story. On the contrary, it was compulsively readable and there were points where I found myself glued to my Kindle, heart pounding fiercely as things sparked and sizzled and eventually exploded into a chemistry inferno between these two special characters.
There were pieces of this story that hit right in my emotional sweet spot. I adored the evolution of Sigmund (Leo's cousin and sidekick throughout the book). I loved the conflict/twist - which was indeed a twist for me because the conflict is usually my least favorite part in any given book, and yet in this one it was a favorite. It elicited my strongest emotions and it was then that I felt like my heart was truly on board - aching, fluttering, and filled with hope that love would conquer all.
And the resolution, as always, was epically romantic and deeply satisfying. I loved these two, and am so happy with the happily ever after they were given. The Aristocrat was filled with drama, sweeping romance, and romantic grand gestures. And, in the end, I was here for it all. ~ Shelly, 4 Stars
October 2, 2021
Van mil oportunidades que le doy a Penelope Ward y siempre termina decepcionándome.
Estoy cansada de su misma fórmula, donde se conocen se enamoran, se separan pasan años y luego se reencuentran y uno de los dos tiene nueva pareja, será que no soy muy fan de los second chance y odio cuando hay un tercero en discordia.
En todos sus libros es lo mismo diferente historia misma situaciones.
Esta tenía mucho potencial, protagonista british, duque sí DUQUE y al principio me estaba gustando hasta que llegamos a la separación absurda por cierto y ya después fue cayendo de mi gracia tal vez el final fue bonito, pero hasta ahí.
Ya no diré que no voy a leer más a PW porque siempre termino cayendo, pero en serio Penelope renovar o morir.
Estoy cansada de su misma fórmula, donde se conocen se enamoran, se separan pasan años y luego se reencuentran y uno de los dos tiene nueva pareja, será que no soy muy fan de los second chance y odio cuando hay un tercero en discordia.
En todos sus libros es lo mismo diferente historia misma situaciones.
Esta tenía mucho potencial, protagonista british, duque sí DUQUE y al principio me estaba gustando hasta que llegamos a la separación absurda por cierto y ya después fue cayendo de mi gracia tal vez el final fue bonito, pero hasta ahí.
Ya no diré que no voy a leer más a PW porque siempre termino cayendo, pero en serio Penelope renovar o morir.
August 30, 2021
5 STARS
Such a fantastic read.I really enjoyed this emotional,intense and heartwarming romance.The beginning make me laugh a lot it was funny.Loved how they met. Leo and Felicity had a strong connection .
This has a little bit of everything , fun moments,complicated, heartbreaking, slow burn romance and two fantastic characters.
The story was so addictive, once you start it you can't put it down !
Such a fantastic read.I really enjoyed this emotional,intense and heartwarming romance.The beginning make me laugh a lot it was funny.Loved how they met. Leo and Felicity had a strong connection .
This has a little bit of everything , fun moments,complicated, heartbreaking, slow burn romance and two fantastic characters.
The story was so addictive, once you start it you can't put it down !
August 28, 2021
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Felicity Dunleavy thought her summer would just be a quiet transition before continuing her studies. But with Leo Covington as her new neighbor, things could turn dangerously into something more than both of them could handle.
When it comes to stories with different social statuses, it tends to be quite cheesy and predictable. I’m glad to say this book turned out to be more than what I expected with the story focusing more on the couple than circumstances.
I loved Leo with how respectful and considerate he was. While Felicity’s reluctance was sometimes frustrating, it was understandable. Also, Sig caught my heart right from the beginning and latched on until the end. I loved how the story had a good balance of humor, angst, and heart.
The Aristocrat is a story of creating your own happiness. It would appeal to readers who enjoy a second chance Romance.
🔸️👑🔸️ . . . (F)BR With Loyda . . . 🔸️👑🔸️
For more reviews/interviews/promo visit:
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Felicity Dunleavy thought her summer would just be a quiet transition before continuing her studies. But with Leo Covington as her new neighbor, things could turn dangerously into something more than both of them could handle.
When it comes to stories with different social statuses, it tends to be quite cheesy and predictable. I’m glad to say this book turned out to be more than what I expected with the story focusing more on the couple than circumstances.
He was someone else’s future husband, someone else’s future.
I loved Leo with how respectful and considerate he was. While Felicity’s reluctance was sometimes frustrating, it was understandable. Also, Sig caught my heart right from the beginning and latched on until the end. I loved how the story had a good balance of humor, angst, and heart.
The Aristocrat is a story of creating your own happiness. It would appeal to readers who enjoy a second chance Romance.
🔸️👑🔸️ . . . (F)BR With Loyda . . . 🔸️👑🔸️
For more reviews/interviews/promo visit:
September 1, 2021
Penelope Ward brings readers an emotionally charged romance I didn’t want to end. It was sweet and it was swoony. It was angsty and passionate. It brought me tears of heartbreak and tears of joy and I loved every minute of it.
Before assimilating all the responsibilities that came with fulfilling his family’s aristocratic legacy, Leo Covington and his cousin Sig decided to spend some time in the U.S. On the last part of their trip Leo meets the most honest, straight forward, gorgeous woman he’s ever met.
Felicity Dunleavy is also the first woman to ever turn him down. Knowing he’s only there temporarily her first reaction is to protect her heart against de devastatingly handsome and charming man who she can’t stop thinking about.
Even though they agree it’s a bad idea, the two are drawn to each other and form a deep connection regardless. As they spend time together they inevitably fall for each other. But what happens at the end of that summer when Leo needs to go back to England and Felicity to law school?
Although their romance is a slow burn and I wanted to help them along with their initial struggle, I really liked their characters. They were well written. They’re flawed yet very likeable. Leo’s family dynamic was difficult and the burden of his birth right was somewhat oppressive.
I felt so much for both of them, they were so in love, clearly soulmate but suffered so much because of their circumstances and ill timing. I also liked Sig very much, he’s the great wingman who brought much needed comic relief. I hope he gets his own book.
I got so much out of this book, especially the reminder of some very important life lessons. “The true purpose of life is to love with all you heart and soul.”
The Aristocrat is a standalone contemporary romance by Penelope Ward. It is told from both points of view and has a happy ending. Genres: Contemporary romance Tropes: forbidden romance
★ I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Give Me Books PR. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. ★
Stalk me on FaceBook ★ Instagram ★ More reviews
“Make no mistake…” His eyes bore into mine.
“My entire world is you, Felicity. Without you, I have nothing.”
Before assimilating all the responsibilities that came with fulfilling his family’s aristocratic legacy, Leo Covington and his cousin Sig decided to spend some time in the U.S. On the last part of their trip Leo meets the most honest, straight forward, gorgeous woman he’s ever met.
Felicity Dunleavy is also the first woman to ever turn him down. Knowing he’s only there temporarily her first reaction is to protect her heart against de devastatingly handsome and charming man who she can’t stop thinking about.
Even though they agree it’s a bad idea, the two are drawn to each other and form a deep connection regardless. As they spend time together they inevitably fall for each other. But what happens at the end of that summer when Leo needs to go back to England and Felicity to law school?
Although their romance is a slow burn and I wanted to help them along with their initial struggle, I really liked their characters. They were well written. They’re flawed yet very likeable. Leo’s family dynamic was difficult and the burden of his birth right was somewhat oppressive.
I felt so much for both of them, they were so in love, clearly soulmate but suffered so much because of their circumstances and ill timing. I also liked Sig very much, he’s the great wingman who brought much needed comic relief. I hope he gets his own book.
I got so much out of this book, especially the reminder of some very important life lessons. “The true purpose of life is to love with all you heart and soul.”
The Aristocrat is a standalone contemporary romance by Penelope Ward. It is told from both points of view and has a happy ending. Genres: Contemporary romance Tropes: forbidden romance
★ I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Give Me Books PR. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. ★
Stalk me on FaceBook ★ Instagram ★ More reviews
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Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
August 31, 2021Has Miss Ward’s writing always been this… awkward? I remember liking some of her books but this is just plain terrible to read. Fair warning: This is a 1.5-star impression I got from reading the free 10% sample. So if this unexpectedly gets good later, please let me know and I might give it another shot.
First off, I hate info-dumps, especially when used to try and establish a character/a character’s past in a few measly paragraphs. Felicity’s (h) difficult past also does not seem to impact her, apart from the fact it made her incredibly boring which is the last thing the foster system should make you, no? Her responses to flirting and teasing were such a snoozefest. All the best lines came from the men, Leo (H) and his asshole cousin. I love me some witty banter and a sassy heroine (which Felicity infelicitously is not) but surprisingly (shocker!) it’s not banter if only one side (Leo) is being funny.
Then there's the trope of the gorgeous famous dude – or more specifically the Adonis British aristocrat – meeting an American natural beauty (not a “made-up” woman like those back home 🙄) who doesn’t know dude’s fame, even turns said dude down and therefore ends up twice as enticing. It’s been done and been done better by Emma Chase in Royally Screwed; one of my faves because of Chase’s writing and the banter, characters, and of course the smut. (Or give me famous-athlete-meets-clueless-girl over this Aristocrat any day.)
But back to Leo, who despite some moderately good lines, is insufferable. How condescending is it that you (yes, looking at you, Leo) being a rich Aristocrat, say to a girl you barely know, who just told you she is an orphan who grew up with different foster parents, that you envy her??? Oh, and you’ve already figured out her entire character from talking to her for about 5 minutes? That she has grown into herself, she makes her own choices blablabla just because you project what you dislike about your own life onto her, idealizing her? To top off all that, you feel it’s necessary to go on a 6-month vacation while your father continues to battle cancer, which is why you need to take over the family business after your last hooray-vacay? Poor little rich boy. Excuse me while I projectile vomit.
I am really glad I stopped to think what bothered me about this before I spent money on this. Sometimes I continue reading because I just want to see our couple do it, you know? Then I’m angry at myself because I wasted my precious time (more so than the money) on a book I didn’t enjoy.
I gave this a shot because I liked the blurb after a long and crappy work day after which I felt I couldn’t appreciate my beloved fantasy series by Michael J. Sullivan and I thought some fun, light romance ought to cheer my tired self up. Turns out light can be exhausting too.
First off, I hate info-dumps, especially when used to try and establish a character/a character’s past in a few measly paragraphs. Felicity’s (h) difficult past also does not seem to impact her, apart from the fact it made her incredibly boring which is the last thing the foster system should make you, no? Her responses to flirting and teasing were such a snoozefest. All the best lines came from the men, Leo (H) and his asshole cousin. I love me some witty banter and a sassy heroine (which Felicity infelicitously is not) but surprisingly (shocker!) it’s not banter if only one side (Leo) is being funny.
Then there's the trope of the gorgeous famous dude – or more specifically the Adonis British aristocrat – meeting an American natural beauty (not a “made-up” woman like those back home 🙄) who doesn’t know dude’s fame, even turns said dude down and therefore ends up twice as enticing. It’s been done and been done better by Emma Chase in Royally Screwed; one of my faves because of Chase’s writing and the banter, characters, and of course the smut. (Or give me famous-athlete-meets-clueless-girl over this Aristocrat any day.)
But back to Leo, who despite some moderately good lines, is insufferable. How condescending is it that you (yes, looking at you, Leo) being a rich Aristocrat, say to a girl you barely know, who just told you she is an orphan who grew up with different foster parents, that you envy her??? Oh, and you’ve already figured out her entire character from talking to her for about 5 minutes? That she has grown into herself, she makes her own choices blablabla just because you project what you dislike about your own life onto her, idealizing her? To top off all that, you feel it’s necessary to go on a 6-month vacation while your father continues to battle cancer, which is why you need to take over the family business after your last hooray-vacay? Poor little rich boy. Excuse me while I projectile vomit.
I am really glad I stopped to think what bothered me about this before I spent money on this. Sometimes I continue reading because I just want to see our couple do it, you know? Then I’m angry at myself because I wasted my precious time (more so than the money) on a book I didn’t enjoy.
I gave this a shot because I liked the blurb after a long and crappy work day after which I felt I couldn’t appreciate my beloved fantasy series by Michael J. Sullivan and I thought some fun, light romance ought to cheer my tired self up. Turns out light can be exhausting too.
September 2, 2021
Why was this so boring LMFAO. It wasn't even slow burn. It was just bland
May 5, 2022
So... I definitely loved it. Woah, thought it was a spicy read, not so romantic and emotional! Alas, this can be a rereadable!
Things I liked:
🧡The premise: The 'peeping Tom' element was totally new to me and definitely interesting that made me pick the book.
🧡 The romance: Cannot believe I cried? Who think you'll cry with this cover ? Felicity and Leo went through a lot and to be honest, I didn't think I'll like the novel after fifty percent but it only made it more romantic!
🧡 The side characters: I loved and related to everyone. They all were so well-written and relatable.
🧡 The writing: It's Penelope Ward, I've read books by her and she never miss. Not too descriptive, just perfect.
Things I liked:
🧡The premise: The 'peeping Tom' element was totally new to me and definitely interesting that made me pick the book.
🧡 The romance: Cannot believe I cried? Who think you'll cry with this cover ? Felicity and Leo went through a lot and to be honest, I didn't think I'll like the novel after fifty percent but it only made it more romantic!
🧡 The side characters: I loved and related to everyone. They all were so well-written and relatable.
🧡 The writing: It's Penelope Ward, I've read books by her and she never miss. Not too descriptive, just perfect.
September 1, 2021
Edit: minus 1 star cuz 3 stars is actually a good book.
It was 2 star for me I added 1 more cause part 2 was a little better.
It was 2 star for me I added 1 more cause part 2 was a little better.
September 7, 2021
3 just 3 Stars ✨
September 5, 2021
Sweet. Sexy. Romantic. A few tears were brewing. Now will there be a book for Sigmund? I hope so...
4 1/2 stars
4 1/2 stars
August 23, 2021
I shed a few tears, decimated a manicure, and feel like I’m book buzzed after reading The Aristocrat by Penelope Ward. This heartfelt, angsty, second chance romance is sexy and fun, with a royal kick in the feels. The Aristocrat might be one of my all-time favorite books by her. It’s no secret how much I love this author, but THIS BOOK solidifies why Penelope is on my auto-one-click list. The Aristocrat is a total standalone and does not end with a cliffhanger. I messaged PW and asked her to create a spin-off book with the secondary characters because I loved them so much. The Aristocrat is on my Best of 2021 book list. August 30th release!
September 3, 2021
Felicity grew up in the foster care system which taught her to not get too attached to anyone because things can change quickly and it only leads to heart break and disappointment. In her teenage years she was placed with Mrs Angelini in Narragansett on Rhode Island and it was the first place that truly felt like home to her. She completed high school there and went away to college to forge her own career.
She is now 24 years old and home for summer before heading off to law school in Pennsylvania. There are only three residences in the bay they live in so when Felicity sees some activity at the sprawling estate across the bay out comes the binoculars and she makes herself comfortable in the garden. What started off as curiosity turns into a live strip show with full frontal nudity and OMG what a show! Until she realizes she has been caught and ends her voyeurism.
‘My mouth dropped. I should’ve looked away, but my eyes lingered on his bronze body. The water fell over him like a waterfall down a mountain of carved stone.’
Unfortunately for Felicity, the embarrassment continues when she crosses paths in town one day with the two men she saw through the binoculars, both fully clothed. Turns out they are both from England, very well spoken and extremely good looking – and they recognize her, great… just great. She forms a friendship of sorts with them, in particularly with Leo – there is an undeniable attraction there but one she doesn’t not want to act on. She is leaving at the end of summer, he is going back to the UK and her self-preservation of avoiding attachment to anyone kicks in.
‘I felt like this moment of silence was a crossroads, one where I decided whether I’d escape getting my heart broken or dive headfirst into the fire. Ultimately, fear won out.’
However, hard they both try, eventually Felicity gives into what she is feeling for Leo. Leo’s life could not be more opposite to her, he is a British aristocrat who has obligations back home. He has had expectations placed on him since he was born and he knows that no matter what he wants, he has to honor what his parents want for him. What he wants right now though is to have a carefree summer with Felicity. And they do just that, having explosive chemistry in the bedroom only makes it even harder – excuse the pun – when it comes time to say goodbye.
‘He looked deeply into my eyes, then took my hand and placed it over his heart. ‘Feel that. I think we might be feeling the same thing.’ His heart beat so fast against my hand. ‘Wow’ I whispered.’
Leo and Felicity quickly realise they have fallen for each other so in a effort to make things easier on them, when they part ways they decide to never contact each other. This has a devastating effect on both of them but it just has to be this way. Five years later, Felicity is back on Rhode Island when she finds a letter from Leo that has her heart flipping in her chest. Now she has a decision to make that could change everything.
OMG!! This is such an addictive read and when I thought I had things worked out I was wrong, Penelope definitely kept me on my fingers! I felt so conflicted after Felicity read that letter and what happened after that. The angst ripped at my heart but I also loved it in equal measure. A super duper read!
She is now 24 years old and home for summer before heading off to law school in Pennsylvania. There are only three residences in the bay they live in so when Felicity sees some activity at the sprawling estate across the bay out comes the binoculars and she makes herself comfortable in the garden. What started off as curiosity turns into a live strip show with full frontal nudity and OMG what a show! Until she realizes she has been caught and ends her voyeurism.
‘My mouth dropped. I should’ve looked away, but my eyes lingered on his bronze body. The water fell over him like a waterfall down a mountain of carved stone.’
Unfortunately for Felicity, the embarrassment continues when she crosses paths in town one day with the two men she saw through the binoculars, both fully clothed. Turns out they are both from England, very well spoken and extremely good looking – and they recognize her, great… just great. She forms a friendship of sorts with them, in particularly with Leo – there is an undeniable attraction there but one she doesn’t not want to act on. She is leaving at the end of summer, he is going back to the UK and her self-preservation of avoiding attachment to anyone kicks in.
‘I felt like this moment of silence was a crossroads, one where I decided whether I’d escape getting my heart broken or dive headfirst into the fire. Ultimately, fear won out.’
However, hard they both try, eventually Felicity gives into what she is feeling for Leo. Leo’s life could not be more opposite to her, he is a British aristocrat who has obligations back home. He has had expectations placed on him since he was born and he knows that no matter what he wants, he has to honor what his parents want for him. What he wants right now though is to have a carefree summer with Felicity. And they do just that, having explosive chemistry in the bedroom only makes it even harder – excuse the pun – when it comes time to say goodbye.
‘He looked deeply into my eyes, then took my hand and placed it over his heart. ‘Feel that. I think we might be feeling the same thing.’ His heart beat so fast against my hand. ‘Wow’ I whispered.’
Leo and Felicity quickly realise they have fallen for each other so in a effort to make things easier on them, when they part ways they decide to never contact each other. This has a devastating effect on both of them but it just has to be this way. Five years later, Felicity is back on Rhode Island when she finds a letter from Leo that has her heart flipping in her chest. Now she has a decision to make that could change everything.
OMG!! This is such an addictive read and when I thought I had things worked out I was wrong, Penelope definitely kept me on my fingers! I felt so conflicted after Felicity read that letter and what happened after that. The angst ripped at my heart but I also loved it in equal measure. A super duper read!
September 1, 2021
I seem to run hot or cold with this author. No problem with the writing style. But this story stretched the imagination too far -- really far-fetched and silly even for their stations in life. I didn't connect to the characters and thought that they were a bit cheesy and immature for their ages. Five years later and they hadn't matured or changed much. Still the same old and it got really old very quickly.
Oh there were some trademark lines of wit, sass and laughter, but not enough to pull it out of the "just ok" rating. And frankly, the Epilogue pulled it out of the 2 star arena.
August 30, 2021
Oh my heart! Leo and Felicity have a story that is full of angst and heartbreak but is beautiful all the same.
This couple met by chance as neighbors and it was insta love however hard they fought it. When their circumstances keep their time together short their love never wavers. This book had some shocker moments and I definitely don’t want to give anything away. You’ll just need to read it. This couple gave me laughs and butterflies, crushed my heart and put it back to rights. These two were complete opposites but couldn’t be more right for each other. Loved their story!
This couple met by chance as neighbors and it was insta love however hard they fought it. When their circumstances keep their time together short their love never wavers. This book had some shocker moments and I definitely don’t want to give anything away. You’ll just need to read it. This couple gave me laughs and butterflies, crushed my heart and put it back to rights. These two were complete opposites but couldn’t be more right for each other. Loved their story!
September 4, 2021
Kuddos to the author for such an original, fun storyline in The Aristocrat! I love when couples meet by chance and Leo and Felicity’s meet cute is epic! This book will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. You will laugh, cry, sigh, swoon, and cheer as these two navigate their relationship over the years as they become fast friends, then lovers, then estranged, to finding each other once again.
I love how the book is set on the sea coast of Rhode Island, a place I visit often as my youngest daughter lives there. I was just in Narragansett two weeks ago and just love the natural beauty of the landscape, upscale beach towns and community, and the many rivers, streams, and ocean.
Felicity Dunleavy is a survivor with a positive attitude and non-judgmental, caring heart. She attended an Ivy League college and is pursing her law degree at Drexel in Philadelphia in the Fall. I loved her close relationship with her foster mom, Eloise Angelini, and how special they were to one another. She returned home to spend time with Mrs. Angelini before her classes start, and little did she know how it would be the summer that would rock her world.
Sir Leo Covington, 28, is well aware of the expectations of his lineage as the only child of a Duke. Tradition dictates that he will become the seventh Duke of Westfordshire once his father passes, and be responsible for the family’s vast holdings and real estate. He is accepting of his fate, and is on holiday/vacation in the USA with his cousin, Sigmund, who was a hoot, for one last hoorah. It is while on their last stop in New England that he is besotted with the red-headed beauty he sees from across the lake.
Leo was the perfect book boyfriend. He fell hard and fast and took his time to get to know Felicity before they could no longer deny their feelings and act on their attraction which was super steamy. I loved how she treated him like a regular person, being unfamiliar with the fanfare of being with a “royal,” and how genuine, open and honest they were. I loved all of their dates and moments together–from food shopping and cooking to taking a boat ride, the special gift he bought her, and just hanging out at home. They just wanted to enjoy their moments together and live in their bubble before it pops.
They knew from the start their relationship was on a time limit as they were both committed to responsibilities an ocean apart, and this book was filled with lots of angst and drama in addition to many laugh-out-loud moments and sexy times. My only wish is that Felicity would have been more open about her feelings, and responded to him when he was making an effort. But then the book may not have unfolded the way it did, which was the author’s intention, with a perfect ending to their love story.
He loved her so completely and unconditionally, and I felt it on every page. I especially loved how he cherished her and made her feel beautiful, when she often felt shy and quirky, with very few friends. Sigmund Benedictus (Leo's cousin and annoying but witty sidekick) really made me laugh, and what a sad surprise and turn of events for him in the end. Hoping Sig finds love too.
I love how the book is set on the sea coast of Rhode Island, a place I visit often as my youngest daughter lives there. I was just in Narragansett two weeks ago and just love the natural beauty of the landscape, upscale beach towns and community, and the many rivers, streams, and ocean.
Felicity Dunleavy is a survivor with a positive attitude and non-judgmental, caring heart. She attended an Ivy League college and is pursing her law degree at Drexel in Philadelphia in the Fall. I loved her close relationship with her foster mom, Eloise Angelini, and how special they were to one another. She returned home to spend time with Mrs. Angelini before her classes start, and little did she know how it would be the summer that would rock her world.
Sir Leo Covington, 28, is well aware of the expectations of his lineage as the only child of a Duke. Tradition dictates that he will become the seventh Duke of Westfordshire once his father passes, and be responsible for the family’s vast holdings and real estate. He is accepting of his fate, and is on holiday/vacation in the USA with his cousin, Sigmund, who was a hoot, for one last hoorah. It is while on their last stop in New England that he is besotted with the red-headed beauty he sees from across the lake.
Leo was the perfect book boyfriend. He fell hard and fast and took his time to get to know Felicity before they could no longer deny their feelings and act on their attraction which was super steamy. I loved how she treated him like a regular person, being unfamiliar with the fanfare of being with a “royal,” and how genuine, open and honest they were. I loved all of their dates and moments together–from food shopping and cooking to taking a boat ride, the special gift he bought her, and just hanging out at home. They just wanted to enjoy their moments together and live in their bubble before it pops.
They knew from the start their relationship was on a time limit as they were both committed to responsibilities an ocean apart, and this book was filled with lots of angst and drama in addition to many laugh-out-loud moments and sexy times. My only wish is that Felicity would have been more open about her feelings, and responded to him when he was making an effort. But then the book may not have unfolded the way it did, which was the author’s intention, with a perfect ending to their love story.
He loved her so completely and unconditionally, and I felt it on every page. I especially loved how he cherished her and made her feel beautiful, when she often felt shy and quirky, with very few friends. Sigmund Benedictus (Leo's cousin and annoying but witty sidekick) really made me laugh, and what a sad surprise and turn of events for him in the end. Hoping Sig finds love too.
September 3, 2021
Where The Aristocrat begins and the set of circumstances that the hero and heroine deal with in the onset differs greatly from where they end up, and as a romance reader, that’s exactly what I want in a story…one that may start out with intrigue and lust but then slowly turns into something more, something worth fighting for, something that may upset people or send things off-kilter in some respects but a connection that deserves to be fostered regardless of the external impact.
Both Felicity and Leo are complicated characters whose lives are defined by their pasts and whose futures seem to be already mapped out, which means that the scales aren’t tipped in their favor when they meet in her hometown and spend the summer together. But what was supposed to be a fleeting summer romance…one with an end date…one that can’t go any further because their lives are on two very different paths turns into a chaotic, life-altering experience, but it still doesn’t mean that a relationship between them will ever come to fruition because they’re up against more than just an ocean between where they actually live.
Like Penelope Ward is known for, the angst in this story is on point and the main conflict as well as its complications make emotions run high for all those experiencing it. And as the story plays out and readers are given more insight into all that’s at stake for both Felicity and Leo, hard decisions will have to be made and those choices will make or break them in all the ways that matter most.
One character who I need to give a shout out to is Sig, Leo’s cousin. He is most definitely a scene-stealer and I wouldn’t mind his story being told because spending more time with him would’t be difficult; in fact, I would be beyond entertained, I’m sure.
Emotions are high in this slow burn, second chance romance, and while it’s clear from the start that there’s a mutual attraction between Felicity and Leo, the variables working against them — time, distance, social standing — cannot be ignored and Penelope Ward does a great job depicting the highs and lows of the main characters becoming what they’ve wanted to mean to each other since their initial interaction and with Ward’s storytelling and her ability to construct a complicated plot line, her readers won’t be disappointed when they reach the final page.
4.5 Poison Apples
Both Felicity and Leo are complicated characters whose lives are defined by their pasts and whose futures seem to be already mapped out, which means that the scales aren’t tipped in their favor when they meet in her hometown and spend the summer together. But what was supposed to be a fleeting summer romance…one with an end date…one that can’t go any further because their lives are on two very different paths turns into a chaotic, life-altering experience, but it still doesn’t mean that a relationship between them will ever come to fruition because they’re up against more than just an ocean between where they actually live.
Like Penelope Ward is known for, the angst in this story is on point and the main conflict as well as its complications make emotions run high for all those experiencing it. And as the story plays out and readers are given more insight into all that’s at stake for both Felicity and Leo, hard decisions will have to be made and those choices will make or break them in all the ways that matter most.
One character who I need to give a shout out to is Sig, Leo’s cousin. He is most definitely a scene-stealer and I wouldn’t mind his story being told because spending more time with him would’t be difficult; in fact, I would be beyond entertained, I’m sure.
Emotions are high in this slow burn, second chance romance, and while it’s clear from the start that there’s a mutual attraction between Felicity and Leo, the variables working against them — time, distance, social standing — cannot be ignored and Penelope Ward does a great job depicting the highs and lows of the main characters becoming what they’ve wanted to mean to each other since their initial interaction and with Ward’s storytelling and her ability to construct a complicated plot line, her readers won’t be disappointed when they reach the final page.
4.5 Poison Apples
January 26, 2025
"Най-хубавите неща в живота често се примъкват неусетно".🤍
August 31, 2021
It's been a while since a forbidden romance has brought to my knees and made me shed some tears. The Aristocrat by Penelope Ward is that forbidden and angsty romance, one in which my heart had completely longed for!!
This novel centers on two characters who come from different worlds but even so, it's clear they belong together!! From the moment they meet, Felicity and Leo have a strong and undeniable connection. Only having one summer together.... they go for it. With time, things get a little complicated. However, in the end Penelope does deliver a happily ever after.
The Aristocrat was a heartwarming and emotional story filled with longing and true pining.
P.S. I really hope a certain secondary character gets his very own HEA. Please Penelope, make it happen!!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
This novel centers on two characters who come from different worlds but even so, it's clear they belong together!! From the moment they meet, Felicity and Leo have a strong and undeniable connection. Only having one summer together.... they go for it. With time, things get a little complicated. However, in the end Penelope does deliver a happily ever after.
The Aristocrat was a heartwarming and emotional story filled with longing and true pining.
P.S. I really hope a certain secondary character gets his very own HEA. Please Penelope, make it happen!!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
September 2, 2021
A few months before starting law school, Felicity goes to stay with her foster mother for the summer in Rhode Island, enjoying the coastal town & working part time at a local restaurant. When Felicity used her binoculars to nature-watch, she gets more than an eye full of her new temporary neighbor next door.
Leo & his cousin are visiting the US from the UK as a last hoorah for Leo, who is due to take on his role as a Duke the second he returns. They’re spending their last leg of their journey in Rhode Island and that’s where he meets and is instantly charmed by his neighbor, Felicity.
Leo’s time in the US is limited and Felicity’s life is about to pickup elsewhere, too. They both know a relationship would be an unwise choice, but when it comes to their physical & emotional chemistry, it doesn’t feel like much of a choice after all. Being together feels inevitable, even if being together will break their hearts.
The Aristocrat by Penelope Ward is the perfect end-of-summer romance that captivated me from start to finish. I loved Leo & Felicity’s romance and it felt so organic & raw. There are some plot choices toward the end that I know for a fact would upset & turn people off from this romance, but it didn’t bother me or take away from my overall enjoyment of this story. The cherry on top to this romance is Leo’s cousin, Sig. Although he was a side character, he felt very pivotal to the story. This was a little on the slow-burn side and once Leo & Felicity finally did get together, it was great because of all the tension building between them. Definitely give this one a go! 5/5 stars.
Leo & his cousin are visiting the US from the UK as a last hoorah for Leo, who is due to take on his role as a Duke the second he returns. They’re spending their last leg of their journey in Rhode Island and that’s where he meets and is instantly charmed by his neighbor, Felicity.
Leo’s time in the US is limited and Felicity’s life is about to pickup elsewhere, too. They both know a relationship would be an unwise choice, but when it comes to their physical & emotional chemistry, it doesn’t feel like much of a choice after all. Being together feels inevitable, even if being together will break their hearts.
The Aristocrat by Penelope Ward is the perfect end-of-summer romance that captivated me from start to finish. I loved Leo & Felicity’s romance and it felt so organic & raw. There are some plot choices toward the end that I know for a fact would upset & turn people off from this romance, but it didn’t bother me or take away from my overall enjoyment of this story. The cherry on top to this romance is Leo’s cousin, Sig. Although he was a side character, he felt very pivotal to the story. This was a little on the slow-burn side and once Leo & Felicity finally did get together, it was great because of all the tension building between them. Definitely give this one a go! 5/5 stars.
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